Water-closet-flushing apparatus.



C. HAMMER.

WATER CLOSET PLUSHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2 1906.

904.477. Patented Nov. 17,1908.

3 sums-sum: 1.

mm [IIIIIIIIH J IIIIIIIIIIIII/I/l/ Witnesses. W B-Lwmmw Inventor.

.0. HAMMER. wATEg CLOSET PLUSHING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATIOK FILED OUT. 2'7, 1:906.

Patented NOV. 17, 1908. s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Tur uonms Fnsns Cm, waft-Imam", o. c

c. HAMMER. WATER CLOSET FLUSHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION III-ED 001. 27, 1906; Patented Nov. 17' V 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.-

CONRAD HAMMER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

WATER-OLOSET-FLUSHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

Application filed October 27, 1906. Serial No. 3%,849.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CONRAD HAMMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improved WVater-Closet-Flushing Apparatus, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for flushing water-closets which is connected directly to a pipe leading from a high pressure water system.

The principal objects of the invention are to produce a water closet flushing apparatus which is applicable to high pressure water systems; to construct the controlling valve so as to avoid leakage; and to dispense with the reservoir or tank usually employed to store thewater used to flush the closet.

The invention also relates to certain details of construction all of which will be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1, is a front elevation of a water closet, showing the improved flushing apparatus connected thereto; also showing a reservoir or tank in dotted lines. Fig. 2, is a transverse section on or about line aa, Fig. 6. Fig. 3, is an enlarged detached side elevation of the main valve and the relief valves carried thereby. Fig. 4, is a detached bottom view of the ring forming part of the relief valve mechanism. Fig. 5, is a detached top plan view of the main valve with the relief valves removed. Fig. 6, is an enlarged central vertical section through the improved water closet flushing apparatus with the piping disconnected, showing the apparatus in its normal or closed position. Fig. 7, is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the apparatus in its open position as when flushing the closet. Fig. 8, is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical section through the main valve mechanism, showing the construction and operation of the relief valves. Fig. 9, is an enlarged detached view of the collar surrounding the upper end of the valve stem. Fig. 10, is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical section through a flushing apparatus provided with a chain or like flexible connection between the handle and the stem, the handle being shown in raised position with the stem depressed. Fig. 11, is a view similar to Fig. 10, with the handle depressed and the stem raised. Fig. 12, is a detached view of the segmental chain support. Fig. 13, is a section on line bb, through the segmental chain support. Fig. 14:, is a fragmentary side elevation of the stem and chain.

In referring to the accompanying drawings for the details of construction, like numerals designate like parts.

The water closet is of the usual type, having a bowl, 1, and cover 2, and is connected with a source of water supply by pipes 3 and a. The flow of water to the closet is controlled by a valve located between the pipes 3 and at, which is adapted to be operated to flush the closet.

This flushing valve is contained within a valve housing or casing 5, the lower end of which is coupled to one end of the flush pipe 3, by a coupling 6. The other end of the pipe 3, is connected to the closet bowl in the usual manner. The pipe et, leads from the service pipe line of a high pressure water system and connects with the valve casing 5, at an intermediate point. It is coupled to a lateral extension 7, on the valve casing by a coupling 8, see Fig. 1.

An annular valve seat 9, is formed within the valve casing 5, below the lateral extension 7 and a disk valve 10, located in a valve chamber 11, is adapted to engage the seat 9, to close communication between the service pipe 4, and the closet bowl. The valve 10, has a vertical tubular stem 12, of comparatively large diameter which is preferably formed integral therewith. The valve is guided in its movements by a hollow guide 13, which depends centrally from the top cap 14, of the valve casing, and fits snugly within the vertical tubular stem 12, see Figs. 6 and 7 The interior of the tubular stem 12, constitutes a chamber 15, and the interior of the hollow guide 13, constitutes a chamber 16; the two chambers being in communication through the open bottom of the hollow guide 13, see Figs. 6 and 7. The hollow guide 13, is approximately of the same length as the tubular valve stem 12, and is provided on its outer surface with a series of annular grooves 17, which become filled with water and form an air tight joint between it and the tubular stem 12, see Figs. 6 and 7 The valve 10, is lifted by a vertical stem 18, having a reduced lower end upon which a collar 19, is loosely supported, said collar being held in place by a nut screwed upon the lower extremity of the stem. This collar 19, has a plurality of equally spaced radially projecting rods 20, which bend upwardly at right angles and serve as valve stems for a plurality of relief valves carried by the main valve 10. These relief valves are preferably three in number and are constructed substantially as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The upper ends of the rods 20, pass through vertical passages 21, formed in the valve 10. These passages 21, terminate at their upper ends in valve seats 22, in which valves 23, carried by the rods 20, are adapted to seat. The valves 23, are preferably constructed of rubber or similar material and secured to the upper ends of the rods 20, in the manner shown in Fig. 8. The passages 21, are located outside of the tubular stem 12, and connect the valve chamber 11, with the chamber 24. This chamber 24, is located in the valve casing 5, below the valve seat 9, see Figs. 6 and 7.

A stout ring 25, having vertically depending lugs 26, equal in number and position to the valves 23, encircles the tubular valve stem 12, above the valves 23. The lugs 26, have vertical sockets or depressions 27, in their bottom surfaces in which the upper extremities of the rods 20, which project slightly above the valves 23, loosely seat. A stiff compression spring 28, encircles the tubular valve stem 12, above the ring 25, and normally retains the valves 23, in their seats 22. The collar 19, is loose on the stem 18, and the rods 20, seat loosely in the sockets 27, in the lugs 26, of the ring 25, so that the valves 23, can adapt themselves to their seats.

The valve 10, carries a supplementary relief valve which is located in a passage communicating at its respective ends with the chambers 15 and 24. This supplementary relief valve provides an exit for whatever water may have found its way into the chambers 15 and 16, when the apparatus is operated and is constructed as follows,A vertical passage 29, is formed in the valve 10, adjacent to one of the passages 21, said passage connecting the chamber 15, within the tubular valve stem 12, with the chamber 24, see Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The upper end of the passage 29, terminates in a valve seat 30, in which a valve 31, carried at the upper end of a valve stem 32, is adapted to seat. This valve stem passes through the passage 29, and has a coiled spring 33, surrounding its lower portion, said spring being retained by a nut, see Fig. 8. The spring serves to normally retain the valve 31, inthe seat 30, to close the passage 29. The rod 20, adjacent to this supplementary relief valve, has a lateral lug 34, which extends inwardly and beneath the lower extremity of the valve stem 32, in such position so that when the rod 20, is lifted the lug 34, will contact with the stem 32, and lift the valve 31, from its seat, see Fig. 8.

The top cap 14, has a central vertical projection 35, formed integral therewith and a collar 36, encircles this projection and has a curved arm 37, projecting from one side. An operating lever 38, is pivoted to the upper end of the curved arm 37, and has a handle 39, attached to one end by means of which it may be operated. The other end of the lever 38, terminates in a fork 40, which straddles the portion of the stem 18, above the top cap and two parallel links 41, are pivoted at their lower ends to the ends of the fork 40, by screws 42, and at their upper ends to two horizontally extending pins 43, projecting laterally from a collar 44. This collar loosely encircles the upper end of the stem 18, being maintained in position by a cap nut 45, see Figs. 8 and 9. The collar 36, is held in place on the tubular projection 35, by a nut 46, which screws upon the upper extremity of the projection 35.

A lug 47, projects laterally from the curved arm 37, near its upper end and acts as a stop to limit the downward movement of the handle 39, see Fig. 1.

A tube 48, encircles the stem 18, for the greater portion of its length; said tube passing through the top cap 14, into the tubular projection 35, being rigidly fastened therein. A collar 49, is adjustably secured upon the tube 48, near its lower end, said collar having its top surface formed to constitute a valve seat 50. The collar is preferably secured to the tube by screwing it thereupon and looking it in place with a locknut 51. A central depending portion 52, of the valve 10, forms a valve 53, which engages with the valve seat 50, see Figs. 6 and 7. The opening 54, in the central depending portion 52, through which the tube 48, passes, is slightly larger in diameter than said tube so as to provide a passage for water or air.

This improved flushing apparatus is also adaptable to low pressure water systems as in residences or dwellings where a storage tank is used to contain the flushing water. In such case the pipe 4, is connected to a tank 55, such as is shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1, the tank being fed by the pipe 56.

Another form of connection between the stem and operating lever or handle is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive in which a chain or similar flexible element is employed in lieu of the links. The stem 18, is provided with an opening 57, in its upper end in which an end link of a chain 58, is fastened. The operating lever consists of a hollow handle 39, which is fastened to the socket portion 59, of a segmental chain support by a screw bar 60, which passes through the handle and screws into the socket 59.- An end cap 61, is screwed upon the opposite or outer end of the bar, 60. The segmental chain support is pivoted to the upper end of the curved arm 38, and has a curved member, 62, which is provided on its outer surface with a groove 63, shown in Fig. 13, in which a portion of the chain 58, is supported. The curved member 62, is connected to the central portion of the support by two converging members 6 1 and 65, and the socket portion 59, extends substantially oppositely to the member 6 1. The support is provided in its central portion with an opening 66, through which the pivot pin 67, passes to secure the segmental support to the curved arm 38. It will be noted by referring to Figs. 10 and 11, that the pull of the chain is in direct longitudinal alinement with the stem at all points of its adjustment so that the movement of the stem is free and easy.

The operation of the improved flushing apparatus is as follows,The various parts of the apparatus being in the position shown in Fig. 6, a person wishing to flush the bowl 1, grasps the handle 39, and presses it downward into the position shown in dotted line in Fig. 1, thereby lifting the stem 18. This upward movement of the stem 18, lifts the collar 19, and opens the relief valves 23, against the tension of the spring 28, thus permitting the water in the valve chamber 11, to flow through the passage 21, into the chamber 2%, and thence to the flush pipe 3. This relieves the pressure in the chamber 11. The movement of the stem 18, also opens the supplementary relief valve 31, of the lug 3st, carried by the rod 20, which comes in contact with the valve stem 32, and lifts the valve from its seat 30, see Fig. 8. This permits whatever water may have entered the chambers 15, and 16, of the tubular valve stem 12, and the hollow guide 13, to flow through the passage 29, into the chamber 24. As soon as the pressure in the chamber 11, is sufliciently reduced so as to be less than the tension of the spring 28, the continued upward movement of the stem 18, lifts the valve 10, from its seat 9, and permits the water from the pipe 4, to flow into the flush pipe 3, and flush the closet.. Simultaneously with the opening of the valve 10, the valve 53, is lifted from its seat 50, and permits the air. within the chambers 15 and 16, to escape through the opening 54. The air escapes through the space between the exterior surface of the tube 48, and the wall of the opening 5t. The various parts of the apparatus are now in the position shown in Fig. 7, and the operating handle is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 11. When the handle 39, is released, the valve 10, drops slowly by gravity until it regains its seat. The closing of the valve is retarded because of the small quantity of air that enters the chambers 15 and 16, through the opening 54.

The quantity of water used to flush the closet is governed by the length of time required by the valve 10, to drop from the position shown in Fig. 7, to the position shown in Fig. 6, and this time is proportionate to the diameter of the opening 54; the larger the opening, the faster the valve will drop, owing to the greater quantity of air that consequently enters the chambers 15 and 16; and vice versa.

One of the principal advantages of this improved fiushing apparatus is that it can be connected directly to a service pipe of a high pressure water system such as is provided in large establishments by private pumping plants. This dispenses with the storage tank formerly used. Another advantage of this improved flushing apparatus is that it is easy to operate, the relief valves reducing the excessive pressure in the valve chambers so that the operating lever can be depressed with an even and comparatively light pressure instead of necessitating a heavy pressure to start the valve and then plunging quickly down when the valve is open.

Other advantages reside in the noiseless manner in which the closet is flushed, the preventing of any leakage through the operating stem and the accessibility of the parts, all the valve mechanism being easily removed by unscrewing the top cap of the valve casing.

This improved flushing apparatus can be used to equal advantage in private residences and dwellings where water at high pressure is not available. In such cases a storage tank is used as shown in Fig. l, of the accompanying drawings.

I claim as my invention 1. In an improved apparatus of the class described, a closet, a water supply pipe, and a manually operative flushing mechanism between the closet and the source of water supply and connected to each by piping and including a housing with an in terior valve seat and having a top cap, a tubular stem extending within the housing, a plurality of valves supported from the stem, one of which coiiperates with the valve seat of the housing and a hollow valve guide depending from the top cap and fitting within the tubular stem.

2. A flushing device for closets comprising a housing having an interior valve seat, a stem extending within the housing, a central vertical main valve cotiperating with the valve seat of the housing and adapted to be operated by said stem, a plurality of side relief valves supported from the stem for relieving water pressure and a handle for operating the stem.

3. A flushing device for closets comprising a housing having an interior annular valve seat, a central vertical stem extending Within the housing, a central main valve cooperating With. the valve seat of the housing and adapted to be operated by said stein, a plurality of side valve seats on said main valve, a plurality of side relief valves supported from the stem and cooperating with the valve seats on the main valve, and a handle for operating the stem.

4. A flushing device for closets comprising a housing having an interior valve seat, a stem extending Within the housing, a main valve cooperating With the valve seat of the housing and adapted to be operated by said stem, a plurality of radial rods eX- tending from the stem and having their ends bent, a plurality of relief valves supported from the bent ends of said rods for relieving Waterpressure, yielding means for limiting the opening of the relief valves and a handle for operating the stem.

5. A flushing device for closets comprising a housing having an interior valve seat, a

stem extending Within the housing, a main valve cooperating With the valve seat of the housing and adapted to be operated by said stem, a collar on the stem, a plurality of rods radiating from the collar, a plurality of relief valves supported from the rods for relieving Water pressure, yielding means for limiting the opening of the relief valves and a handle for operating the stem.

6. A flushing device for closets comprising a housing having an upper Water chamber and an interior annular valve seat, a central main valve cooperating with the valve seat of the housing and having a tubular stem, a plurality of side relief valves for relieving the Water pressure in the upper chamber of the housing and a central supplementary relief valve for relieving the Water pressure Within the tubular stem of the main valve.

CONRAD HAMMER. Witnesses:

L. M. SANGSTER, GEORGE A. NEUBAUER. 

